Energy Switching - am I cynical?

[Steevo]

Everyone knows that energy suppliers are out there to rip off customers for their loyalty.

So switching your energy supplier when out of contract, or re-negotiating the renewal offer is the sensible way forward.

I've noticed in recent years that the NFU have started offering their own "NFU Energy" which they describe as "one of the UK's leading energy consultancies" and "The NFU Energy Service covers everything from buying and selling energy through to securing new connections and upgrades, wayleaves, energy regulation, compliance and energy efficiency; in fact, anything to do with energy in agriculture. Each year we help NFU members save £1million on their electricity bills." It's touted as one of the benefits of being an NFU member, but I do wonder whether there is more in it for them than their farmers.

Today I noticed that Farmers Weekly have now launched their own "Farmers Weekly Energy Switch Service" https://www.fwi.co.uk/energy-switch.

Is it just me being overly cynical, or does anyone else feel that companies that are trusted brands of UK Agriculture are playing both sides and claiming to look out for farmers, whilst potentially abusing that trust?

I question the clarity of their moral boundaries.

 

[Mr Mackay]

To be honest they want to make you feel comfortable with them and then milk you as much as possible IMO.
Who would blame them really ? They are in it to make money hence when your contract runs out and you forget , they wack the price up to silly amounts for that next month and if you dont look at the bill because you are busy then its proper milking time !!
Everyones doing it (switching)so its just a question of being lucky in finding the lowest quote in your area (because not all companies feed into some areas ?? )

 

[neilo]

Why can't the NFU, or anyone else, act as a broker and look after their members, whilst making a bit too? It's surely no different to all the other broker businesses, whether it's for energy, or to save us money when moving away from NFU insurance.

 

[deleted user 837354]

There are a lot of firms that operate like this. They recognise that farmers don't really change anything, they become 'comfortable' with a particular product or service provider and rarely change. Also, the field is necessarily specialist and they know there is a limited list of providers for such a specialist industry.

 

[Steevo]

Why can't the NFU, or anyone else, act as a broker and look after their members, whilst making a bit too? It's surely no different to all the other broker businesses, whether it's for energy, or to save us money when moving away from NFU insurance.

I question whether either of the above examples really are "looking after their members", this is my query. They purport to be doing so but the line isn't as clear as it might be.

Is that me just being cynical?

 

[Steevo]

There are a lot of firms that operate like this. They recognise that farmers don't really change anything, they become 'comfortable' with a particular product or service provider and rarely change. Also, the field is necessarily specialist and they know there is a limited list of providers for such a specialist industry.

Not just this - farmers are loyal to farming companies too, a bit like NFU Mutual insurance - it's a name they recognise and therefore trust. Whether that trust is well placed in this instance is my query.

It rather looks to me like everyone thinks it's a way to make money so are jumping on the bandwagon, and exploiting their "customers" in doing so.